Ultrasound can’t find ovaries bc I’m overweight

[BananaHammock23]

Hi all. I’m currently in bed crying and have been here most of the day! My partner and I were due to start IUI today but when we went in for our baseline scan the nurse said she had to have a difficult conversation with us... she went on to say that because of my BMI, she was unable to see the ovary in the scan and therefore unable to proceed with treatment this month.

I’m devastated. Not only because we’ve had treatment put on hold but also because I’m struggling to find any info online that points to this being an issue. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

We’re at a private clinic (same sex couple, no help on NHS) so BMI isn’t necessarily an issue for IUI, but now I just feel like a fat mess who’s not got any control.

I’m sorry you’ve had bad news. What did the clinic suggest?

Were they doing a transvaginal scan? I can't see how bmi would be an issue then and it's the only type of scan I've ever had for fertility.

Are they not able to do a transvaginal one?

I'm sorry, I would be very upset as well

@Addler @justtheonethen - yep it was trasvaginal! They didn’t try on my stomach. I was surprised that high BMI was the conclusion... I just can’t understand why it would be an issue and can’t see much online suggesting that it is so I’m confused, and gutted!

@Strawberrypancakes my BMI is 37, so very high I know. I’m trying to get my weight down and have lost a stone since starting all this. I think I’m more frustrated that it’s never been flagged as an issue before. The consultant said BMI wasn’t an issue for IUI and now, on the day we were supposed to start stimulation, it’s come up as an issue because they can’t find my bloody ovaries.

I’m just gutted

Thanks @JacobReesMogadishu - clinic suggest coming back on Thursday for another nurse to ‘have a go’. If she can’t find it, plan will be weight loss with scans every few weeks to see if clarity is improving with goal to go ahead with IUI as soon as it’s there. I just haven’t heard of this issue before so I’m upset and confused.

That sounds very strange, can you ask them to have another go? I really can't see why it would be an issue

I've never had scans for fertility purposes but have had transvaginal scans to check my ovaries as I have PCOS and I've never had an issue with them being able to see them, by BMI is currently 40 and it's even been higher than that when I've had other scans and again never an issue, so I'm really really surprised! You poor thing. Can you ask someone else about it for clarification?

Sorry x post. Glad they are trying again.

Have to say I’m surprised the clinic haven’t talked to you about this before? Have you had pre conception counselling about the risks of being pregnant with a higher BMI?

But well done in the weight loss. Could you perhaps put things off until you’ve lost a bit more? Because once you’re pregnant you’ll struggle to lose more.

Yep.

Iv had transvaginal scan and they couldn't see my overies and other bits and bobs clearly enough, because im over weight

I had a very high BMI when I had fertility investigations and they were able to see mine fine.

Maybe she was inexperienced and not doing it properly. So sit tight and take them up on the offer of a different person. Hopefully one with more experience.

You won't be the first or last person with a high BMI to have fertility treatment.

And good luck!

I think it depends on where you have your fat. You could have a lot of fat around your reproductive organs which is making them hard to see.

I'm really sorry you've been told this. It is heartbreaking. BMI can be an issue in fertility treatment and they don't like it too high.

I suggest something like slimming world and up the exercise rather than anything too fast.

@Addler that’s reassuring to hear! I have PCOS too, so have had plenty of transvag scans. I do remember the last time I had one they found it tricky to find my right ovary but I believe they got it in the end. Hopefully there’ll be some clarity when the other nurse does it on Thursday and we can proceed next month... I really dread the other outcome. I find it hard enough to lose weight as it is with PCOS and an under active thyroid without this added pressure. I’ve been personal training 3x a week, sea swimming every day in between, eating well and it’s bloody hard to get it off!

@JacobReesMogadishu I’m pretty surprised too now it’s come to this! We’ve had all the counselling re BMI etc and have been repeatedly reassured it won’t be an issue with IUI. I know I have to get my BMI down if we’re to proceed with IVF, hence why I’ve been on an eating well and exercise bender since we started planning treatment.

@FedUpOfChangingName sorry you hear you had the same experience. What was the outcome in the end? Did you manage to get a scan they could see?

Thanks @Wasabiaddiction @Twizbe

I had a scan the other week and she couldn’t see my right ovary at all, a scan 3 weeks later and it was there “waving at her” and had 2 x 4/5cm cysts. How the first woman couldn’t find it with 2 cysts I have no idea!

I’m not overweight, 5ft 7 and 9.5st and couldn’t be found.

Don’t think it was your weight, It was insensitive for her to say it was because of that. I was told sometimes they like to go hiding.

Fingers crossed for your next scan. The ovaries were probably being elusive xx

That is very strange.... with a transvaginal scan your bmi it shouldn't make a difference...

On the abdomen it could. My professor used to say that in ultrasound demonstrations the models are so thin they are practically transparent!

Maybe try to call the clinic and talk to your doctor. Good luck

Thanks @LosingtheTTCplot - that’s really reassuring to hear. I do find it bizarre that it’s seldom mentioned online but that was her first conclusion... Later on the phone when she asked me to come back on Thursday she advised not eating much fruit and veg the night before to minimise has and to try and go to the loo etc so perhaps it could be that instead? I’m not in denial - I know I’m overweight (or obese if we’re going by BMI), I’m just shocked that this is a problem at this stage in treatment!

Thanks @grey12 - I’m going to try and get on a call with the consultant ASAP! This covid situation isn’t making appointments very easy! The mask did help hide my ugly crying face when the nurse told me!

Definitely gas can be a problem. They often struggle to see mine as I'm always so gassy

Sonographer here
In some cases high BMI does affect whether the ovaries can be seen clearly. Most of the time a TV scan can clearly see the ovaries, but in some cases it’s very very difficult. It may be because of increased intra-abdominal fat.
Sorry, I know this must be extremely frustrating for you.

Yeah it’s quite common, ultrasound is massively effected by obesity.

@beelzeboob do you think losing weight will quickly help with intra-abdominal fat? Is it the first or last to go?

Slightly off track but Are you on any medication for your pcos? I’m on metformin which has made a huge difference. It meant that when I tried to lose weight without it the weight wouldn’t really shift but with metformin it does. 💐

Sounds like bollocks OP! My bmi is 44 and when I have a missed miscarriage they always have a little check of my ovaries during the TV ultrasound without a problem.